Cost Accountant

Korn Ferry; Humble (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry is partnering with a private equity‑backed distributor and remanufacturer of diesel engine components seeking a Cost Accountant in Humble, TX. The role offers a Hybrid schedule (Tues–Thurs in office) and focuses on cost and inventory accounting, product costing, margin analysis, and monthly financial reporting, in partnership with Operations and Supply Chain to improve cost visibility.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance, 3–5+ years in cost accounting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3–5+ years of accounting experience in cost accounting, manufacturing, distribution, or industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• ERP and inventory management system experience required.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and financial modeling.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, overhead, and finished products.
• Perform inventory accounting, reconciliations, cycle count analysis, physical inventory support, and reserve analysis.
• Analyze manufacturing and operational variances and communicate key drivers to management.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close, including journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Analyze product margins, pricing, profitability, and operational performance.
• Review BOMs, routings, and production data to ensure accurate product costing.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning related to manufacturing and operating costs.
• Partner with Operations, Purchasing, and Supply Chain to improve cost controls and operational efficiency.
• Support audits, process improvements, and system implementations related to inventory and cost management.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Inventory management systems

Job description

Korn Ferry is partnering with our client on their search for a Cost Accountant.

Company Overview:

• Growing, private equity-backed distributor and remanufacturer of aftermarket diesel engine components and related products
• The company supports customers across commercial trucking, construction, agriculture, marine, transportation, and other industrial markets
• Its product portfolio includes fuel injection systems, turbochargers, engine components, filtration products, and other mission-critical diesel parts
• The business generates approximately $300M in annual revenue and continues to expand through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions
• The company operates with a lean, entrepreneurial culture and offers strong exposure to senior leadership as it continues building out its finance and FP&A capabilities

Role Summary:

• Title: Cost Accountant
• Location: Humble, TX
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Tues-Thurs in Office)
• Primary Focus: Own and support cost accounting, inventory accounting, product costing, margin analysis, and financial reporting while partnering with Operations and Supply Chain to improve cost visibility and business performance
• Team Scope: Work cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and business leadership to ensure accurate product costs, inventory valuation, and operational reporting

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and analyze standard costs for materials, labor, overhead, and finished products
• Perform inventory accounting, reconciliations, cycle count analysis, physical inventory support, and reserve analysis
• Analyze manufacturing and operational variances and communicate key drivers to management
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close, including journal entries and account reconciliations
• Analyze product margins, pricing, profitability, and operational performance
• Review BOMs, routings, and production data to ensure accurate product costing
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning related to manufacturing and operating costs
• Partner with Operations, Purchasing, and Supply Chain to improve cost controls and operational efficiency
• Support audits, process improvements, and system implementations related to inventory and cost management

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• 3–5+ years of accounting experience, ideally within cost accounting, manufacturing, distribution, or an industrial environment
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation
• ERP and inventory management system experience required
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and financial modeling
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to work independently while partnering effectively across Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Finance
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial information to non-financial stakeholders
• CPA, CMA, or progress toward certification preferred
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities
• Target Base Compensation: $90K–$100K
• Full-time, exempt position
• Opportunity to gain broad exposure across cost accounting, inventory, manufacturing, and operational finance
• Cross-functional interaction with Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Finance leadership
• Opportunity to support process improvement and systems initiatives as the organization continues to evolve

Selling Points

• Hands-on cost accounting role with meaningful ownership of inventory, costing, margins, and manufacturing analysis
• Strong exposure to Operations and Supply Chain rather than being limited to traditional corporate accounting
• Opportunity to analyze how product costs, manufacturing activity, and operational decisions directly impact profitability
• Broad responsibilities across standard costing, inventory valuation, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and close
• Opportunity to work within a large multi-location organization with significant inventory and operational complexity
• Strong fit for an accountant looking to deepen their cost accounting expertise while gaining greater business and operational exposure